Lost Empire of Deccan Tour

Rediscover the Region Steeped in
glorious past.
Brave its harsh climate and forbidding landscapes and you'll discover a
land of many surprises. Musical pillars, stone dancers, elephant stables,
monuments, temples, mosques, forts, ruins... are few of the delights this
cultural exploration offers.

North Karnataka has a unique privilege of housing two World Heritage
Centres - Hampi & Pattadakal. And wherever you go in North Karnataka,
you'll find yourself within touching distance of History.

This is also a piece of the oldest land of earth. A part of the Gondwana
Plate that broke up at the beginning of geological time to form the Deccan
Peninsula. The huge awe-inspiring boulders that are a part of this landscape
are known to geologists the world over as 'Dharwars' after the Karnataka
town Dharwad. It is believed that these boulders belong to the Archean Age
and are a thousand million-year-old!

Life has not been very easy for the people in Deccan, Yet their native
resourcefulness has seen them through many a crisis. Without taking away
their love for life and their land, they pride in its glorious history and
their passion for its cultural heritage.

Day 01 : Bangalore or Mumbai
Arrive Bangalore or Mumbai from your home country, Garland welcome,
assistance and transfer to the and booked hotel. Morning free to relax. Late
morning transfer to the domestic airport, board flight to Hyderabad (1 hr
fly).

Hyderabad endearingly called 'Pearl City', the fifth largest city in India,
is famous, the world over for its twinkling pearls, glass embedded bangles
and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine besides monuments of great historical
interest. Evening make a short drive to visit the most famous monument of
Hyderabad, chairman (180 ft high), is located in the centre of the old city.
Just few steps away from Charminar is Mecca Masjid, one of the India's
largest mosques. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02 : Hyderabad
Morning after breakfast visit the Birla Temple which stands for its grand
fusion of Khajuraho and Bodh Gaya of North Indian and Rajagopurams of South
Indian architecture. Evening visit the Lumbini Park situated on the banks of
Hussain Sagar Lake, a picturesque park with variety of attractions, offering
beautiful entertainment with musically synchronized water fountain.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 03 : Hyderabad - Bidar - Gulbarga
Morning after breakfast drive to Bidar (about 140 km/ 03 hrs) - a tiny
district steeped in history. The Fort, the Cannons, Palaces in ruins, the
magnificent tombs and the massive monuments, all combine to make a visit to
the one-time capital of the Bahamani and Barid Shahi dynasties. Proceed to
Gulbarga (about 110 kms/ 02 hrs), check into the hotel. Evening stroll
around the small city. Overnight in hotel.

Day 04 : Gulbarga - Bijapur
Today up to afternoon do the sightseeing of Gulbarga, a Hindu city before
the Mohammedan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures.
Start our tour with the Fort. The most important monument in Gulbarga is
probably the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. The tomb of the great Sufi saint,
Khwaja Syed Mohammed Gesu Daraz. After sightseeing proceeds to Bijapur
(about 150 kms/ 03 hrs), check into the hotel. The rest of the day free to
relax. Overnight in hotel.

Day
05 : Bijapur
Today full day to visit the Bijapur. Morning after breakfast make a short
drive to the Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, boasts of the
second largest tomb in the world. Jumma Masjid- has been called one of the
finest mosques in India. The rest of the day free to relax. Overnight in
hotel.

Day 06 : Bijapur - Badami
Morning after breakfast drive to Badami (about 132 kms/ 03 hrs) the capital
of early Chalukyas is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine
between two rocky hills. Check into the hotel. Afternoon make a short drive
to visit the cave temples- dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. Climb a flight of
steps to reach the ancient caves- all hewn out of sand stone on the
precipice of a hill. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave
temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu
pantheon. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir and also visits the
Bhootha Natha temples that lend their name to the lake just beneath the cave
temples. Take a dip this green tranquil lake. It is said to have healing
properties. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 07 : Badami
After breakfast drive to Aihole (2 hrs), famous as the 'Cradle of Indian
Temple Architecture' Aihole has over 100 temples scattered around the
village. Wherever one looks, it's temples that meet the eyes. Intricately
carved rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. Mute witnesses of a bygone era.
Visit the oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to
the 5th century. The interior is filled with fascinating carving. Dating
back to the 6th century the Ravalphadi cave - Temple celebrates the many
forms of Shiva. Not-to-be-missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi
Gudi), the Uma Maheshwari Temple, the Jain Meguti temple and the two-storied
Buddhist Temple. Drive back to Pattadakal, a world Heritage centre, it has
10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Visit the
biggest temple here is dedicated to Virupaksha. Stop now at the Malliarjuna
and Papanatha temple dedicatedly chiseled and rich in detail. The detailed
descriptions in the sculptors of the temples give an insight into the social
life to those days. Back to Badami. Overnight in hotel.

Day 08 : Badami - Hospet
Morning after breakfast drive to Hospet (about 240 kms/ 06 hrs), check into
the hotel. Hospet is the nearest small market town, and a base for seeing
Hampi. Evening visit The Tungabhadra Dam (6 km). The rest of the day free to
relax. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 09 : Hampi
Morning we make a short trip to Hampi (01 hrs), also known as 'The Fort of
Victory - Vijayanagra', situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in
the region of Bellary, is a vast site of Momuments and ruins, a mute witness
to an era of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so
majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded,
awestruck and humbled. Visit the Virupaksha Temple, rises majestically at
the western end of a 670m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar.
This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. The most
splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly The Vittbala Temple Complex. The
56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. Hampi is full
of such surprises. Back to Hospet. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10 : Hospet - Chikamagalur
Today start your journey early morning to Chikamagalur (about 290 kms/ 7
hrs) enroute visits the Fort of Seven Rounds in Chithradurga. Drive through
the Indian's major Coffee growing area and check into the hotel. The rest of
the day free to relax from the tiring journey. Overnight in hotel.

Morning after breakfast drive to Belur. It was once the capital of the
Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples.

The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of
Chennakeshava Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D,
is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. After visiting this
temple move to Halebedu (17 kms from Belur). The temples of Halebid bear
mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Visit the
Hoysaleswara temple, dating back to the 12th century, standing on platform
like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely
detailed scroll work in stone. Also visit the Jain bastics. Overnight in
hotel.

Day 12 : Hassan - Mysore
Morning after breakfast drive to Mysore (about 125 kms/03 hrs), check into
the hotel. Afternoon visit the Mysore Palace built in 1912 in the
Indo-Saracenic style. Evening will drive to Chamundi Hills, towering over
the city, these hill are 13 kms away from Mysore. Halfway up is the Nandi
Bull, a 4.8 m monolith. Right on the top is the 2000-year-old Chamundeswari
Temple. Overnight in hotel.

Day 13 : Mysore - Bangalore
Morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore (about 140 kms/ 03 hrs), check
into the hotel. This bustling capital city of Karnataka, is also known as
Garden City and Silicon Valley of India. Late afternoon visit the Vidhan
Soudha, a magnificent building housing the State Legislature and
Secretariat. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian
style. The rest of the day free to relax or stroll around the bazaars.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 14 : Bangalore - Home
The full day to relax before you starting the journey to your home country.
Stroll around the avenues to find some good sandalwood carvings and
handicrafts to put you in memory of your tour to Deccan. Late night transfer
to the International airport, board flight to your home country.